The Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Royal Mile at night

This is one of the world’s oldest and most famous streets and it links Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill, with the palace of Holyrood House at the bottom.  Walking “The Mile” as it’s known is an activity that visitors and locals have undertaken for hundreds of years.  To save your legs, it’s best walked down hill and along the way, you’ll see the castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience, St Giles Cathedral, the Scottish Parliament building and endless tartan-covered souvenir shops.  Most of the buildings in between though are jam packed full of history as the buildings on the mile have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Look out for the old toll house with its lovely clock and John Knox House in particular.  This is an extract from our free Edinburgh City Guide.  

Click the pictures below for a better view of some of the notable buildings along the Royal Mile.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON EDINBURGH’S ROYAL MILE

If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, the Royal Mile and the streets leading from it have become dotted with eateries ranging from traditional Scottish cafe’s to bistro style restaurants.  You’ll find restaurants chains, coffee shops and international cuisine around the Mile too. Different street names link up to make the Royal Mile, so you may find it called Canongate, High Street or Lawnmarket in places.   The Royal Mile is the starting point for many of Edinburgh’s Walking Tours.  The Murder & Mystery Walking Tour and the Secrets of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile Walking Tour consistently get great reviews from tourists, but you can see the full list of walking tours on our Edinburgh Tours & Activities pages.

MORE ON THE EDINBURGH ROYAL MILE

Royal Mile website
Hotels near the Royal Mile - Best prices from Hotels.com
More hotels in Edinburgh – Up to 30% off from Expedia.co.uk
Books on The Royal Mile - Amazon.co.uk
AboutScotland.com

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